Here's a few photos of the old backyard cellar,using photobucket. They're dated... haven't updated a photo of inventory in three years, but at least the basic features are visible.<P>http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/gilsmith_photos/WineCellarin2004001.jpg<P>http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/gilsmith_photos/WineCellarin2004002.jpg<P>http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/gilsmith_photos/WineCellarin2004007.jpg<P>http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/gilsmith_photos/WineCellarin2004004.jpg

Thanks.... you're right, it does look a lot like a crypt. Hadn't even thought of that.<P>It's virtually full now.... meaning I can cram more in there but have to mix bottles up on the shelves and risk burying lonely onesies and twosies. Thought it would handle about 1200 but turns out to be only 650 or so. Nuts. But at least they're comfy.<P>Had never even heard of photobucket until Drew posted links to his pics a few days ago. Thanks, Drew.<p>[This message has been edited by hotwine (edited 03-20-2007).]

I like the cellar. Did you build this yourself? The inside looks like a walk-in cooler from a restaurant. I worked in a restaurant in Myrtle Beach many years ago. They had a walk-in just like it.<P>There are some clear bottles on the top shelf under the cooler. I'm curious as to what that is. Vodka maybe? But I really want to know what's in the jugs. Those have really got to be interesting. Sorry if I'm too nosey..... <IMG SRC="http://wines.com/ubb/biggrin.gif"><P>mark

Nice pict! Looks like lots of room left! (couldyou add additional shelving layers to help out with the onesies twosies? I also want to knowa bout the clear bottles and also the large jugs on the floor?

Not being nosey at all.<P>The cellar was here when we bought the house in '87. The original owner was a bit of a survivalist, and had built this thing as a bomb shelter. It's of heavily-reinforced concrete with two through-the-roof air vents, one of which I've plugged with insulation and the other is used as conduit to connect the evaporator unit inside with the roof-mounted condenser (all of that was done by a contractor just a few years ago). The cellar is set in bedrock only about three feet - as far as the owner was able to dig by hand - so there's three feet of it above ground level.<P>The clear bottles are of Ozarka Spring Water. Since the cellar is in the backyard (about 60 yds behind the house), I keep a few bottles of water in there so I can duck into the cellar to cool off on hot summer afternoons. <P>The jugs contain homemade wine made from local mustang grapes back 20-odd years ago... think the oldest is marked 1980. Some were of my doing, some by D's late uncle (his was always much better than mine).<P>Empty racks have all been filled and most of the plonk has been removed. Most, but not all. Most of the boxes are gone now too. Looks like the only good stuff visible is some Fiefs de Lagrange, below the evaporator.<P>Will take some pics to illustrate current status....<p>[This message has been edited by hotwine (edited 03-21-2007).]

A couple more, taken today:<P>http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/gilsmith_photos/cellar21Mar07002.jpg<P>http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u95/gilsmith_photos/cellar21Mar07007.jpg<P><p>[This message has been edited by hotwine (edited 03-21-2007).]

Yup, the Languedoc is the Picpoul de Pinet, the Amano is dead on, and the cheapie red is Toscano Chianti, part of a group I acquired from the stash of a closed club (along with the sherry that's visible on the bottom shelf - she uses that stuff for cooking).

I have to tell you, Gil, I was a little concerned that you posted pics of your fine cellar, with the door open and pics of your wine soooo I had a law enforcement friend set up surveillance on your cellar and here's what he photographed...Winoweenie raided your cellar! <IMG SRC="http://wines.com/ubb/biggrin.gif"> Just doing ma duty!<P>http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/dru4220/verne2.jpg<P>Drew<p>[This message has been edited by Drew (edited 03-24-2007).]